Tanya Fairbrother with her late dad Jack Bentham
We’re asking Trust colleagues, patients and our local community to share their memories and stories about what the NHS means to them.
Healthcare Assistant Tanya Fairbrother recalls how the kindness of NHS staff when her dad died at the height of the first wave of Covid led to a job on Ward 24 at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
“At the beginning of Covid I lost my hero, my dad Jack Bentham. He went into hospital on 1 May 2020 and obviously we could not attend with him due to restrictions.
“The paramedics were lovely with both us. He entered A&E and obviously had to have a covid test, the following day the result came back negative so he was transferred that afternoon to Ward 1.
“He had been on Ward 1 for less than 30 minutes and a healthcare assistant (HCA) recognised his breathing becoming laboured and knew he was close to the end.
“When I received the phone call to say he had passed away, we were in shock but the nurse in charge told us we could go up and spend some time with him and explained how the HCA had sat with him while he passed.
“From that moment on, as much as we were heartbroken, to know he had someone with him meant the world to us and helped our grieving process to know he wasn’t alone.
“Although I don’t know who this person was, I thought how lovely it must have been to be that person which in the long run was a support to our family.
“We have also been through a stillbirth tragedy in our family (my grandson) and all the staff were so lovely and understanding with all of us when this happened almost three years ago.
“When a post for an HCA was advertised, I felt that I would like to be that person for a family or to treat people in hospital as I would like my family to be treated and felt compelled to apply – and I love my job.”
… share your NHS75 story
We’re counting down the 75 days to the 75th anniversary of the founding of the NHS on 5 July – and Trust colleagues, patients and the local community can all take part.
We also want to hear what you love about the NHS as well as your stories and memories – and thank you to everyone who has been in touch so far.
- How has the NHS changed you or your family’s life for the better?
- Do you have pictures of times past at our hospitals and sites you’d like to share?
- Did you have family or friends who were with the NHS at its start in 1948?
- What inspired you to work in the NHS?
- Tell us if you are just one of many generations to work in the NHS
Share your ideas and memories by visiting the My Story section on our NHS75 web pages.